STOCKTON Heath community recycling centre (CRC) has reopened today, Monday.

But as with the Gatewarth and Woolston CRCs, which reopened in May, people are asked to only visit the facility if they have an essential need to dispose of household waste.

There will be strict restrictions and traffic management in place on site, so residents are urged to only travel to the recycling centre if any of their household waste cannot be safely stored at home.

The site will be open from 10am to 4pm on weekdays and from 8am to 6pm on weekends.

A range of additional measures are in place at the site to protect residents and staff:

-Access is permitted for cars only. No vans, vehicle trailers, commercial vehicles or pedestrians will be allowed in

-Only one person is permitted per car, unless you are a blue badge holder

-Due to social distancing restrictions, staff will not be able to help with unloading or lifting items, so only take to the tip what you can safely dispose of yourself

-There will be a one-in, one-out system to ensure people can dispose of their waste safely, so expect lengthy queues

-To help prevent people travelling to the CRC from outside Warrington, residents will be asked for evidence of their address, so will need to take a recent utility bill, council tax bill or proof of address to display in their car windscreen

-Residents are reminded to observe the social distancing rules when on site and to be respectful of others

-Residents who are abusive, intimidating or clearly flout the national guidance will have access to the CRC removed

-There will be traffic management in place on site and queues are expected so residents may be asked to leave and return later.

Cllr Judith Guthrie, the council’s cabinet member for environment and public protection, said: “It’s good news that Stockton Heath recycling centre has re-opened, meaning all three of our CRCs are now operational.

“We have worked hard to make sure the Stockton Heath site – like our other CRCs – has reopened in as safe a manner as possible.

“I would ask the public to support us by only coming if you have an essential need, and by following the guidance, which is there to protect everyone.”